Machine for forming composite blocks.



Patented Nov. 27, I900.

J. BROWEB. MACHINE FOR FORMING COMPOSITE BLOCKS.

(Application filed Sept. 21. 1898,)

2 Sheets$heet I.

(No Model.)

y: NORRIS pzrzns co. memumm WASHINGTON, 0.1:.

No. 662,684. Patented Nov 27, mo,

J. BRUWEB. MACHINE FOR FORMING CUMPUSITE BLOCKS.

(Application filed Sept. 21, 1898.)

2 Sha etaSheet 2..

(No Model.)

' wi/tmwo'eo THE NORRIS PErERs co, mom-Una, WASHINGTON, n. c.

UNiTED S'ra'ins Fatienr Urethra.

JOHN BROWER, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

MACHINE FOR FORMING COMPOSITE BLOCKS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 662,684, dated November 27, 1900.

Application filed $eptember 21, 1898. Serial No. 691,557. \No model.)

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, JOHN BROWER, acitizen of the United States, residing at Oakland, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Forming Composite Blocks; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of said invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it most nearly appertains to make, use, and practice the same.

My invention relates to machines for forming composite blocks, my object being to produce an efficient device which is complete within itself and can be transported, if desired, from place to place.

To this end and also to improve generally upon machines of the nature indicated the invention consists in the various matters hereinafter described and claimed.

It will be readily understood that the ma chine can be used to form blocks of any description from plastic material; but I have particularly designed it for forming artificial stone blocks for facing buildings, these blocks being composed, for example, of cement and sand, colored or stained, if desirable, to which may be added pebbles, crushed stone, or marble, and this compound is preferably mechanicall y attached to a base-board, as by means of cleats or other engaging members. The boards can then be readily attached to the frame of a building.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of the present machine. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a top plan View showing a casting-form with the locking-frame about the same. Figs. 4: and 5 show my blocks attached to a buildingframe. Fig. 6 is a view of a corner-block, and Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate completed blocks.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and at present to FigsA: to 8 thereof, it will be seen that the block intended to be made by this machine comprises a base-board D with securing members, such as cleats D, projecting from one face thereof. The plastic compound D is applied to the face provided with the said securing members, and by reason of the mechanical engagement with the same is when hardened firmly secured to the base. Suitably secured to the base-board and projecting from the face not provided with the compound are anchors D by means of which the blocks are fastened to the framework of a building, these anchors being here shown as passing through the base-board and having their inner ends embedded in the compound. For corner-blocks the compound is preferably secured upon two adjacent faces, as shown in Fig. 6. Such being the particular block made upon my machine, I pass now to a consideration of the machine itself and refer particularly to Figs. 1,2, and 3. Generally speaking, the machine comprises a frame upon which are mounted a die, a table adapted to receive a casting-form and to have movement for bringing the die to press upon the material contained in said form, a hydraulic ram supporting the table and moving the same, a tank in connection with the ram, and a force-pu m p in the circuit between the tank and the ram for supplying fluid to the latter. The frame has base-timbers X, from which extend corner uprights X said u prights being connected at their tops by cross-timbers X while brace-rods X connect the upper and lower timbers, said rods lying a little to the inner side of each upright. The hydraulic ram or rams C are mounted upon the lower timbers of the machine with their piston rods projecting upwardly, as shown, and mounted upon these rods is a table 0 designed to receive the casting-form A. A die A depends from the upper crosstimbers above the table and in position to cooperate with the same to compress the material in a form. Preferably the table G has projecting members through which pass the brace-rods X, so that in'its vertical movements said table is guided along these rods. The casting-form here shown comprises a base-plate A provided with suitable apertures A, and from this baseplate extend side and end walls A, said walls being hinged together by means of the hinges A The casting-form is inclosed within a locking-frame B upon the table 0 the forward end of said frame being formed by a removable plate B, held in position against the casting-form by means of a lever B across the frame, said lever being pivoted, as at- B to the end. of one side piece of the frame and engaged by a looking member B upon the end of the other side piece. Thus it will beseen that'upon placing a base-board D in the casting-form with the cleats uppermost and the anchors projecting through the openings A the plastic compound can be applied to the upper face of the board, and the casting-form is then slid into the locking-frame through the open end thereof. This open end is then closed by the block B, said block being locked in position by the lever, and upon the application of power to the ram the table is elevated to bring the compound against the die, thus effecting compression of said compound upon the base-board, or, in other words, uniting the parts of the composite block. After this action the table is lowered, the frame opened, and the casting-form withdrawn. The sides of the form are then opened from about the block and said block is removed for drying.

In order to guide the frame and also to equalize the pressure upon the compound, I have provided rods B which depend from the upper timbers at the sides of the die, said rods at their lower ends being adapted to enter openings B in the upper faces of the locking-frame side pieces. Adjustable stops B here shown as nuts, are supported upon the rods and serve to limit the movement of each side of the frame, thus equalizing the pressure. Preferably each side piece of the frame is faced with a strip B of iron or the like, against which the stops are adapted to bear, thus preventing the stops being forced into the frame-sides.

A tank 0 supported upon the upper crosstimbers, is provided for the water with which to operate the ram or rams, and a supply-pipe O connects said tank with the rams, a forcepump 0 being interposed in the connection between the tank and the rams. A cook or valve 0 between the tank and the force-pu mp controls the supply of water, and an exhaustpipe 0 extends between the rams and the tank, said latter pipe having a cook or valve 0 It will now be seen that, the tank having been supplied with water, the cock C opened, and the cock C closed, operation of the pump serves to operate the rams and raise the table thus compressing the block, as previously described, while after com pression has been effected opening of the cock 0 permits the escape of water from the rams as the table descends, and the table falls without shock or jar. By this arrangement of parts the same Water is used continuously, and it is therefore unnecessary to provide a constant water-supply for the tank. A pressure-gage C may, if desired, be suitably placed in the circulatory system to indicate the pressure exerted by the rams.

It is believed that the construction and operation of my machine will now be clear.

The device is compact, is efficient, and, be ing complete Within itself, can be readily transported from place to place, as may be necessary or desirable.

Having-thus described myinvention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In a press, a pressing-table, an open-top locking-frame thereon having a removable block closing one end thereof, and a lever pivoted upon one side of said frame and adapted to lie across the end closed by said removable block to hold said block in place, there being provided a catch for said lever when in looking position, in combination with a removable open-top casting-form inserted into said frame through the end closed by the removable block; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 6th day of September, 1898.

JOHN BROWER.

Witnesses:

E. F. MURDOCK, GEO. RHORER. 

